Guiseley-based Companion Stairlifts has announced its sponsorship of the Sue Ryder Yorkshire Women of Achievement in Arts Award 2017.

The Women of Achievement awards have been running for over 30 years, recognising Yorkshire’s most inspirational ladies who have excelled, shown bravery and blazed a trail for others. Held in honour of Leeds-born Lady Sue Ryder, the awards are now a highlight of the city’s events calendar and have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice.

Last year’s winners included The Calendar Girls for the Yorkshire Rose Award and Rotherham grooming scandal whistleblower Jayne Senior, who was named the overall Woman of Achievement 2016 as well as scooping the Community Impact of the Year accolade.

This year, there are two new categories: Women in the Arts, and Women in Science and Technology.

Companion Stairlifts has announced it will sponsor the inaugural Women in the Arts Award.

Managing director Clare Brophy said: “We are delighted to support this award which shines a light on the talented females who are making a huge contribution to the arts in this region.

“These women, who do so much to make sure we all have more art in our lives, should be recognised for their efforts to enrich our lives and make the communities we live in happier places. They are truly inspiring and generous individuals and I’m looking forward to celebrating their achievements at this year’s awards ceremony.”

Mary Campbell, Head of Hospice Fundraising at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice and organiser of the event, commented: “Yorkshire Women of Achievement is a wonderful way to celebrate women across Yorkshire. We are really pleased that Companion Stairlifts has chosen to be our official sponsor for our new Women of Achievement in Arts award.

“Nominees in this category will have excelled in their sector of the Arts industry. This could be in areas such as music, theatre, dance, art and design or literature. This category also recognises the women who use their skills to contribute to the success and development of the arts in Yorkshire, but may not always be acknowledged.

“The Yorkshire Women of Achievement awards help raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice. All our services are completely free to their family and loved one, but it costs Wheatfields Hospice £4.4 million to provide vital care. Whether we’re supporting people in the hospice or their own homes, our focus is on quality of life giving every patient the care and support they need to spend the time they have left in the way they choose.”

The Sue Ryder Yorkshire Women of Achievement Awards ceremony takes place on Friday 12 May at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.